Unseasonable warm weather make for great fishing conditions

The weather this week is forecast to be unseasonably warm. If the forecast holds true, I expect the fish (and gnats) to be biting. Speaking of unseasonably warm, the water temperature is 59 degrees and should break the 60-degree barrier over the next few days. When this happens, baitfish will return to the shallows and predators will not be far behind. Look for Redfish to be hanging around oyster bars (at low tide) waiting to pick off an unsuspecting finger mullet or mud minnow. Trout will be holding on the same oyster bars but at higher stages of the tide. Both will be hungry.

Given the conditions, I recommend fishing with larger profile lures (compared to the smaller finesse lures used in winter). For Redfish around oyster bars, a 5 inch StreakZ (Pearl) on a 4/0 flutter hook is hard to beat. Use the lightest weight flutter hook you can cast. A 1/16 ounce is recommended but a 1/8 ounce will work.

For Trout, a MinnowZ or Swimming Trout Trick (Bad Shad) on a 3/16-ounce Trout Eye Jig should get the job done. The past few days, Redfish and Trout have been crushing these lures. The strike is not subtle. With the warm weather, fishing and catching could be synonymous.

When the fish are biting well, it is a good time to try new techniques. This week, I will be fishing mostly with a fly rod. My favorite fly is a chartreuse Clouser Minnow with bead chain eyes. On Saturday, both Trout and Redfish found this fly to be irresistible.

Regardless of how you fish, make sure you fish in the unseasonably warm conditions. Oh yeah, don’t forget to bring your bug spray. The gnats will be biting too!

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

Breaking News Alerts

To sign up for breaking news email alerts, Click on the email address below and put "email alerts" in the subject line: sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com

Comment Here